Turkish denim producer Isko has targeted achieving Bluesign approved accreditation by the end of the year, as it revealed its latest sustainability achievements in the company’s first impact report.
With the goal of completing the Bluesign process by the end of 2020, Isko says it has already performed Bluesign company assessment at an above-average level. “This shows how Isko anticipates changes rather than simply reacting to legal or stakeholder requirements, pursuing an approach that has a huge potential and includes several actions for further improvements,” the company says.
“As the leader of this industry, we feel it is our responsibility to be and act as a force for good,” says Ebru Ozkucuk Guler, senior sustainability and CSR executive. “We have always prioritised transparency and accountability, highly valuing every improvement that can be achieved by sharing values and goals through partnerships.”
The Bluesign system eliminates harmful substances from the beginning of the manufacturing process, and it sets and monitors standards for environmentally friendly and safe production. It is designed to ensure the final textile product meets very stringent consumer safety requirements worldwide, but also gives consumers confidence in purchasing a sustainable product.
“Isko, as the soul of jeans, has a vision for denim that is creative in design and innovative in the use of technologies. These distinct qualities in combination with a determined commitment to a sustainable supply chain makes Isko a true leader in the textile industry,” adds Jill Dumain, CEO of Bluesign Technologies.
Other targets set out in the company’s first sustainability report include reducing carbon across the entire lifecycle of its products, using recycled materials with a lower carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency at its facilities, and creating products that last longer.
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By GlobalDataIsko says it is switching on renewable energy and installing a 5MW solar array on its facility roof, with the capacity to generate 7.2GWh per year.
The company also now has Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) covering all of its fabrics. EPDs describe the life-cycle impacts of a product, including water and energy use, giving both the company and customers a deeper understanding of the environmental footprint of the fabric.
With this information, Isko says it can develop fabrics that are more responsible and track improvements over time.
Also in its report, Isko says the starting wages at its production facility are around three times higher than the legal minimum wage in Turkey.
